Park your car and step inside the large open courtyard of the abbey that dates back to the 14th century. After falling into decay after centuries of neglect, Certosa di Maggiano was bought by current owner Anna Grossi Recordati in 1969. She restored it to its current glory and it became a hotel in 1975 Majestically preserved, it still retains a sense of formal hospitality with utterly professional staff on hand and the ancient abbey, which forms part of the buildings, even still hosts church services on Sundays.

Sleep with the monks

The 17 rooms of Certosa di Maggiano were once the monks' cells, but are today a picture of refined elegance with antique touches, marbled bathrooms and a slightly old-world charm. But best of all is the windows: behind thick curtains, an inside shutter, glass and an outside shutter lies your true Tuscan moment. Waking up and throwing open the shutters to let the light and views flood in is the epitome of Tuscany.

Downstairs, breakfast is served in the antique Tuscan kitchen filled with gleaming copperware set over a massive hearth. Or on balmy days you can sit outside under the trellised vines and dig into pastries, fruit-filled homemade berry jams, freshly squeezed pear or peach juices, refreshing orange sorbet and fresh tomato with bruschetta.

The communal spaces in the hotel are numerous: from the games room and library to an opulent lounge and its silk-covered couches with 12 massive paintings of Roman emperors dating from the 18th century. Outside you can relax with a glass of wine in the loggia by the heated pool, take a stroll down to the viewing point overlooking the countryside, or work up a sweat with a game of tennis. A stroll through the gardens will reveal fresh herbs being cultivated for the restaurant, when the evening bells of the church beckon you inside for dinner at Il Canto restaurant ? a gastronomic destination of note.

Il Canto takes its name from one of the centuries old farms belonging to the Certosa, which still produces olive oil and fresh produce used in restaurant today. During summer dinner is served around the old courtyard, while on cooler nights you?ll sit inside the formal dining room with its impressive collection of majolica ceramics and original Murano glass chandelier. The service is formal, restrained and highly polished, with trays being carried out and diners served with finesse.

"?seasonal ingredients feature strongly?"

You?ll not find Tuscan bean soup or rustic grills on the menu here either. Rather expect modern Italian meets molecular gastronomy with a touch of Tuscany. Diners can choose from a la carte or tasting menus with a superb range of wines, and seasonal ingredients feature strongly.

Porcini carpaccio with a dusting of frozen milk 'snow' and tobacco is delicate, yet suffused with the essence of those fabulous funghi. Macheroni stuffed with black pepper seem to be impossible to contemplate, but is warm and suffused with the elegant flavour of soft poached black peppercorns which are then mixed with pecorino and stuffed into small pasta tubes.

Pre-dessert and dessert are the likes of mousse with mint and chocolate, while a bowlful of lollipops, petit fours and grapes from the garden promote a late night sugar rush! The piece de resistance, however, is the cheese trolley ? literally wheeled along in its splendour.

Massive whole wheels of cheese are stacked upon each other, and it?s difficult to choose between aged pecorinos, tangy goat?s cheeses and dense ricotta that?s been aged in straw. What a rare, unforgettable feast.

And luckily it?s a short stroll over the moonlit courtyard back to a comfortably luxurious room, to rest the night before the morning comes and you can once again cast open your bedroom shutters to yet another perfect day in Tuscany.

For more information, visit www.certosadimaggiano.com or www.ilcanto.it.